ASU Law Graduate Wins John S. Armstrong Award: A Blueprint for Legal Advocacy Careers
For aspiring attorneys considering a USA law school, the path from advocacy volunteer to award-winning legal professional often feels abstract. The story of August Butler, a 2026 graduate of Arizona State University’s Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law and recipient of the prestigious John S. Armstrong Award, provides a concrete example of how dedication, strategic networking, and the right educational environment can shape a meaningful career in legal advocacy.
From Court-Appointed Advocacy to Law School Admission
Before entering law school, Butler spent their professional life working within the justice system as part of a Court-Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) organization. In this role, they helped community volunteers advocate for abused and neglected children in court proceedings. The work was deeply meaningful, yet Butler recognized inherent limitations in their capacity to influence outcomes directly.
Many prospective law students find themselves in similar positions—working in paralegal roles, victim advocacy, policy research, or social services—where they support the legal system without possessing the credentials to argue on behalf of clients. Butler initially explored part-time legal master’s programs and even organized training sessions for the attorneys they collaborated with. However, these interim solutions could not satisfy the growing conviction that they needed to become one of the attorneys making things happen in the courtroom.
This realization represents a critical inflection point for anyone considering law school: the moment when supporting the system is no longer sufficient, and shaping it becomes the goal. Schedule a free consultation to learn more about whether law school aligns with your professional aspirations.
Selecting the Right USA Law School: Why ASU Law Stands Out
Choosing a law school involves weighing multiple factors: location, curriculum, faculty expertise, clinical opportunities, and culture. For Butler, the decision to attend ASU Law was influenced by both personal connections and the institution’s demonstrable commitment to making students feel valued from their first interaction.
ASU Law’s approach to admissions and student support distinguishes it from many competitors. Rather than treating prospective students as applicants to be evaluated, the school emphasizes recruitment and community building. Butler noted that ASU “did a very good job of making me feel wanted”—a sentiment that persisted throughout their legal education. For first-generation law students and those from non-traditional backgrounds, this inclusive environment can make a significant difference in academic performance and overall well-being.
Access to Judicial Mentors
One of ASU Law’s most valuable assets is the unparalleled access students have to judges at every level—county, state, and federal. These judges serve as professors, employers, mentors, and guest panelists, providing students with direct insight into the judiciary’s function and culture. Butler observed that this access demystified the bench, revealing that judges are “just people” with their own hopes, weaknesses, and quirks despite wielding enormous influence.
For students interested in clerking or appellate practice, this exposure is invaluable. Understanding how judges think, what they expect from written briefs, and how they conduct oral arguments cannot be fully taught through casebooks alone. ASU Law’s location in downtown Phoenix, adjacent to state and federal courthouses, facilitates these connections organically.
Academic Support Systems That Make a Difference
Law school’s reputation for competitive, high-stress environments is well-earned, but institutions can mitigate these pressures through intentional programming. At ASU Law, Professor Alyssa Dragnich’s Advance Program exemplifies this approach. The program brings together a small cohort of diverse first-generation law students and provides structured support during the challenging first year.
Dragnich’s philosophy—that making 20 students happy and successful will positively affect the broader class and school—reflects a scalable understanding of institutional culture. Butler experienced this ripple effect firsthand, benefiting from the program’s emphasis on community over competition. For prospective students evaluating law schools, asking about similar support structures should be a priority. Explore our related articles for further reading on choosing law schools with strong student support systems.
Developing Practical Advocacy Skills
While theoretical knowledge forms the foundation of legal education, practical skills determine career success. Butler credited Professor Amy Langenfeld with teaching them how to craft and deliver oral arguments—a skill they developed further through moot court competition and will apply regularly in their upcoming clerkship.
Moot court participation offers law students the opportunity to simulate appellate advocacy, receiving feedback from practitioners and judges on their writing and presentation. For students at any USA law school, engaging in these extracurricular activities bridges the gap between classroom learning and courtroom performance.
Redefining Networking: Connection Over Transaction
Law students often approach networking as a necessary evil—a series of awkward conversations undertaken solely to secure employment. Butler’s experience at ASU Law suggests a more productive framework: networking as genuine relationship-building with mutual benefit.
Butler described multiple instances where connecting people led to meaningful opportunities. They introduced a friend interested in environmental law to their externship supervisor, resulting in a placement. They connected a first-year student with a judge, which led to that student meeting Justice Maria Elena Cruz and securing summer employment. Butler themselves benefited when an upper-level student recommended them for an externship based on a conversation about shared interests.
This approach to networking requires viewing relationships as ends in themselves rather than means to employment. When you genuinely invest in understanding others’ goals and connecting them with relevant resources, opportunities tend to follow naturally. For law students, this might mean attending events not to distribute business cards but to learn about classmates’ interests and faculty members’ research.
Post-Graduation Trajectory: Clerking and Public Interest Practice
Butler’s post-graduation plans reflect a clear commitment to public service. They will spend the coming year clerking for Justice Maria Elena Cruz on the Arizona Supreme Court—a prestigious position that provides insight into state-level appellate decision-making. Following the clerkship, Butler intends to work at the Attorney General’s Office representing the Department of Child Safety, before eventually moving to a public defender’s office to represent parents in dependency proceedings.
This career arc demonstrates how clerking can serve as a bridge between law school and substantive practice. Clerks gain exposure to high-stakes legal questions, develop relationships with judicial staff and practitioners, and refine their research and writing skills under demanding conditions. For students interested in appellate advocacy or policy impact, clerkships offer unparalleled professional development.
The subsequent move to the Attorney General’s Office and then to public defense shows a sophisticated understanding of the dependency system. Representing the state in child safety cases provides perspective on institutional motivations and constraints; representing parents offers the opportunity to advocate directly for family preservation and due process. Together, these experiences create a well-rounded advocate capable of understanding and challenging the system from multiple vantage points. Submit your application today if you are ready to pursue a similar path in public interest law.
The John S. Armstrong Award: Recognizing Excellence at ASU Law
Butler’s selection for the John S. Armstrong Award recognizes both exceptional academic performance and meaningful contributions to the ASU Law community. The award, named for a significant figure in the law school’s history, acknowledges that legal education involves more than grades—it encompasses mentorship, service, and community building.
For prospective students, awards like the Armstrong provide insight into institutional values. Schools that recognize and celebrate contributions beyond academic metrics signal that they view students as whole people, not just grade point averages. This culture affects everything from classroom dynamics to alumni networks, shaping the professional identities of graduates long after they leave campus.
Actionable Advice for Current and Prospective Law Students
Butler offered several insights worth emphasizing for anyone navigating legal education:
Embrace the Privilege of Learning
Law school represents an enormous privilege—one that is easy to lose sight of amid stress and competition. Butler encouraged students to “enjoy learning something new every day from really smart and thoughtful professors” rather than succumbing to the temptation to complain about difficulty or perceived unfairness. The return on investment in legal education correlates directly with the effort and attention students bring to their work.
Show Up Mentally, Not Just Physically
Attendance alone does not constitute engagement. Butler distinguished between physical presence and mental participation, urging students to bring genuine curiosity and focus to their coursework. This mindset transforms required classes from obligations into opportunities for growth.
Think Long-Term About Impact
Butler’s career plans demonstrate an understanding that meaningful legal advocacy often requires patience and strategic positioning. Clerking, working in government, and then moving to defense might seem like a winding path, but it reflects a coherent strategy to develop expertise across the dependency system. Students should resist pressure to define their entire career trajectory immediately and instead focus on building skills and relationships that will serve them across multiple roles.
Building Your Own Path in Legal Advocacy
August Butler’s journey from CASA volunteer to John S. Armstrong Award winner and Arizona Supreme Court clerk illustrates what is possible when clear purpose meets supportive institutional environment. Their experience at ASU Law highlights the importance of accessible faculty, structured support for first-generation students, practical skills development, and a culture that values connection over competition.
For anyone considering law school, particularly those interested in public interest and advocacy work, the lessons are straightforward: choose an institution that invests in your success, engage fully with the opportunities available, and approach professional relationships as genuine connections rather than transactions. The legal profession needs advocates who understand the systems they seek to change—and who have the skills and credentials to effect that change from within. Have questions? Write to us! to discuss your law school options and career goals.
